Police investigate Terre'Blanche sexual assault on farm workers

White supremacist Eugene Terre'blanche who was killed on his farm on 3 April. Lawyers have made allegations that the AWB leader plied them with alcohol and made sexual advances before his death. Photograph: Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images

South African police are investigating allegations that the white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche was killed after attempting to sexually assault two male workers on his farm.

A lawyer for one of the two suspects was quoted todayas saying that the two accused men acted in self-defence after Terre'Blanche plied them with alcohol and made sexual advances.

Puna Moroko, attorney for 28-year-old Chris Mahlangu, told South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper: "My instructions from my client are that there was some sodomy going on and it sparked the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche. This is going to form part of our defence during trial."

Moroko added that Terre'Blanche had plied both workers with alcohol and tried to have sex "with one or both" of them.

"It is in the court record that Mr Terre'Blanche bought my client 18 Savannas (cider) and the other accused, who is still a minor, 13 Savannas before driving them to his farm. Mr Terre'Blanche bought himself a bottle of Smirnoff [vodka] at the same liquor store."

Police confirmed that a sexual link was among many allegations being investigated for the killing.

"We are not going to focus on one thing," said Musa Zondi, of the Hawks investigative unit. "We will investigate all pertinent facts that have a bearing on the matter."

Attorney Zola Majavu, acting for the 15-year-old accused, would not comment on the sexual allegations, but said his client "has undergone all the necessary tests that I need to prove his case".

He added: "I have consulted with my client and I am satisfied that something shocking happened on that day. I will disclose fully what my client told me happened during trial."

Terre'blanche was hacked and battered to death on 3 April and found with his trousers around his knees, exposing his genitals.

Police had earlier said a pay dispute had led to the killing.

General Jan Mabula, head of the Hawks in the North West Province, told the City Press newspaper the suspects' clothes were to be examined as part of checks into whether there was a sexual link.

Terre'blanche's far-right Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) has rejected any suggestion of a homosexual link to the murder of its leader, who was one of the most vocal proponents of keeping South Africa's races apart.